Bucs cut Petitgout; add FB Runnels

The Bucs have released offensive tackle Luke Petitgout from the Physically Unable to Perform list. Petitgout, a 10-year NFL veteran who signed with the Bucs in 2007, played in only four games for the team.

Petitgout was the Bucs' starting left tackle in 2007 before he suffering a season-ending knee injury against the Panthers in the fourth week of the season. Heading into this year, the Bucs expected Petitgout to compete with Donald Penn for the starting left tackle spot, but Petitgout was slow to recover from the injury.

His release adds another dubious chapter in the history of the Bucs' efforts to upgrade at left tackle, the line's most critical position. Petitgout signed a three-year, $15-million contract that included a $3-million signing bonus. In the past, the Bucs have had failed experiments with Todd Steussie, Derrick Deese and Torrin Tucker, each a free agent tackle who had a short tenure with the team.

The release of Petitgout means the Bucs will have to make do with their current crop of linemen, leaving them a bit thin at tackle. Anthony Davis has prior experience starting there and long-shot Dennis Roland now might have a better chance of making the final roster.

The Bucs signed J.D. Runnels, a third-year fullback out of Oklahoma, with Petitigout's open roster spot.

Runnels (5-foot-11, 237 pounds) was a sixth-round draft pick of the Chicago Bears in 2006. He played sparingly in his first season there. Runnels spent last season on injured reserve with an injured knee and was released by the Bears this summer.

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